student looking through media equipment on shelves

Production Equipment Rental House

The Rental House serves the Champlain educational community by renting media production equipment to students, faculty and staff free of charge. We strive to provide excellent customer service to all levels and types of media creators.

Production Equipment Rental House

Durick Hall (next to Public Safety)
174 South Willard Street
Monday-Friday 9AM to 5:30PM
Closed Saturday and Sunday

Welcome to the Champlain College Production Equipment Rental House

We provide CCM programs with professional equipment, integrated curricular support, and technical guidance. By working hard to circulate quality equipment as fairly as possible, our goal is to create an environment that enables Champlain¡¯s creative communities to grow and thrive.

Our Services

  • student testing a camera before renting it for a project
    Equipment Rentals

    In collaboration with the CCM Division, these policies guide users regarding reservations, availability and usage of all media equipment. For additional help, it is best to call us during our normal business hours or visit us in person.

    Read Our Equipment Rental Policies
  • a student uses a large film camera in a studio
    Production Stage

    Serving as both a classroom for production classes as well as a lab space for creative students, the Production Stage is available during non-class hours with the proper training and permissions. Special training and permissions are required to gain access.

    Read Our Production Stage Policies

An Important Note on Parking

There is only?one loading space located on the north side of the building, parallel to the wall (see map below). ?This space can be reserved up to 30 minutes for those picking up and returning large orders by calling the Rental House at 802-865-5748. ?Please make sure to call and reserve the space when making your equipment reservations to ensure availability.

Please do not park in the Durick Hall lot unless you have made a reservation for the loading/unloading space. ?Parking without a reservation may block other patrons and/or Public Safety vehicles (that require unencumbered access in case of an emergency).??If you attempt to park without a space reservation we will not be able to process your order until your vehicle has been moved.

Some other options for parking nearby the new Rental House include:

  • 1 marked space located in the lot at 158 S. Willard St. (enter on Main St.), near the dumpster. ?This space is first-come, first serve for 15 min. loading and unloading only (no reservations)
  • If you require a car for a smaller order, metered parking is available at Skiff Hall, across the street. ?Please use extreme caution in crossing the street.
  • In addition, carts are available for checkout for the transportation of gear.

Resources

  • Patron Portal Tutorial: This tutorial will show you how to reserve equipment using our online reservation system, WebCheckout.

  • Rental House Equipment Tutorials: Our Rental House Technicians walk you through the basics of our most popular equipment.

  • Protect Your Lenses!

    – A crewmember must have an eye on the camera case and lenses at all times

    – Be very cautious when filming in windy situations, as dust may land on the lens or enter the camera body via the area where the lenses attach.

    – Slow and steady = safe equipment

    How to Swap a Lens

    1. At all times, a crewmember must hold the tripod steady while changing lenses
    2. Turn off the camera
    3. Remove the matte box from the rods, place in camera case
    4. Press down on the button on the camera body, rotate the lens counterclockwise until the lens releases, and remove the lens from the body
    5. Another crew member takes the lens with two hands and places lens caps on both ends
      a. NOTE: When handing off a lens, always use two hands. Cup the front element of the lens in your palm (without touch the front element itself) with a second hand holding the body of the lens. Place the lens face down in the other crew member¡¯s palm, and do not let go until they acknowledge that the lens is secure with the verbal confirmation, ¡°Got it.¡±
    6. Place lens into camera case gently.
      a. Ensure that all caps are on tightly before putting lens in the case.
    7. Take the new lens and remove lens caps. Leave them in the case to avoid losing them.
      a. Do not leave the area between the lens and the sensor exposed for long periods. Whomever is stabilizing the tripod should cover the sensor with a hand or a lens cap while changing lenses
    8. 7. Check the back of the lens for any dust. Any dust may affect image or damage sensor.
      a. If dust is present, blow gently from the side of the lens to remove, careful not get any moisture on the lens.
    9. Align lens using white or red dots.
    10. Rotate lens clockwise until a ¡°click¡± is heard.
      a. Do not force the lens onto the camera
    11. Apply gentle pressure to the lens from multiple angles to ensure it is locked in place
    12. Check the front of the lens for fingerprints or dirt
      a. If front or rear elements need cleaning follow the included protocol.
    13. Return matte box to its position in front of the lens and turn on the camera

    Rev. 5-28-18

    How to Clean a Lens

    If you ever need help, please come to the Rental House and we can assist you in cleaning the lens.

    1. Using a rocket blower, hold blower at an angle to blow dust off of the surface of the lens
      a. Do not use forced air or hold blower vertical to lens, as this could damage the lens
    2. Use a clean, microfiber lens cloth, and spray Panchro lens cleaner once onto cloth
      a. Do not spray lens cleaner directly on lens.
    3. Starting from the center, move in small, gentle circles, moving to the outside of the lens
    4. Replace lens caps

    How to Install a Filter in the Matte Box

    1. Remove the filter holder from the matte box (you may need to loosen the small rotating knob on the filter holder to remove it easily)
    2. Carefully remove the filter from its bag, holding it by its edge
    3. Pull outwardly on the pin that is on one side of the filter holder. This will open up space for the filter to fit into the holder.
    4. Gently place the filter into the filter holder, and release tension from the pin
    5. Check the filter for any fingerprints or dirt.
      a. If filter needs cleaning follow the included protocol for lens cleaning
    6. With the knob facing upwards, gently slide the filter holder with the filter attached into the slot in the matte box.
      a. Do not force the filter holder into the matte box slot
    7. Twist the filter holder¡¯s knob to secure the filter holder in place
  • Canon Learning Center: This website features video tutorials and resources to help patrons learn about and get the most out of our Canon cameras.